How to Get a Arizona Real Estate Appraiser License

The Arizona Board of Appraisal has identified three levels of real property appraisal classification:

• Licensed Residential Appraiser
• Certified Residential Appraiser
• Certified General Appraiser

Please Note: The Arizona Board of Appraisal does not allow the 15-hour USPAP course to be administered online, but instead must be taken in a classroom environment locally. Please contact the Arizona Board of Appraisal for a list of approved USPAP providers in your area.

Qualifying education courses taken through distance education may not exceed 75% of the required 90 hours for licensure. Van Education Center's Appraisal 101 course will count as 67.5 hours or qualifying education towards the Licensed Residential Appraiser level.

Current Arizona Real Estate Appraiser License Requirements

The Arizona Board of Appraisal has established the minimum educational requirements for an appraisal license. The minimum educational requirements include the following:

Trainee Appraiser

While not an official Arizona appraiser classification, persons beginning a new appraisal career are considered a 'trainee' under the supervision of a license appraiser until such time as the required number of hours for the Licensed Residential Appraiser classification is achieved. Before being hired as an appraiser trainee, VanEd recommends that you complete half of the required education of the Licensed classification. This will provide the neccessary preparation for the work and further education required of trainee appraisers working towards the License Appraiser classification.

Licensed Residential Appraiser

The Licensed Residential Appraiser Classification applies to the appraisal of non-complex one to four residential units having a transaction value less than $1,000,000 and complex one to four residential units having a transaction value less than $250,000. Applicants must meet the following examination, education, and experience requirements.

• One hundred fifty (150) classroom hours of courses in subjects related to real estate appraisal which shall include 15 classroom hours relative to USPAP.
• Successful completion of the Appraiser Qualifications Board endorsed Uniform State Licensed Real Property Appraiser Examination or its equivalent.
• Two thousand hours of appraisal experience is required in not less than 18 months. If requested, experience documentation in the form of reports or file memoranda should be available to support the experience claimed.
• College-level requirements: None

The Certified Residential Appraiser Classification applies to the appraisal of one to four residential units without regard to transaction value. Applicants must meet the following examination, education, and experience requirements.

• Two hundred (200) classroom hours, which may include the ninety classroom hours required for the Licensed Real Property Appraiser Classification, of courses in subjects related to real estate appraisal which shall include 15 classroom hours relative to the USPAP.
• Successful completion of the Appraiser Qualifications Board endorsed Uniform State Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser Examination or its equivalent.
• 2,500 hours of appraisal experience during no fewer than 24 months is required. If requested, experience documentation in the form of reports or file memoranda should be available to support the experience claimed. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary 2,500 hours of appraisal experience.
• College-level requirements: Associate degree or higher. In lieu of the required degree, 21 semester credit hours covering the following subject matter courses: English Composition; Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro); Finance; Algebra, Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and Business or Real Estate Law.

The Certified General Appraiser Classification applies to the appraisal of all types of real property. Applicants must meet the following examination, education, and experience requirements.

• Three hundred (300) classroom hours, which may include the ninety classroom hours required for the Licensed Real Property Appraiser Classification or the one hundred twenty classroom hour requirement for the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser Classification, of courses in subjects related to real estate appraisal which shall include 15 classroom hours relative to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
• Successful completion of the Appraiser Qualifications Board endorsed Uniform State Certified General Real Property Appraiser Examination or its equivalent.
• 3,000 hours of appraisal experience during no fewer than 30 months is required. If requested, experience documentation in the form of reports or file memoranda should be available to support the experience claimed. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary 3,000 hours of appraisal experience. At least half (1,500 hours) must reflect nonresidential appraisals.
• College-level requirements: Bachelors degree or higher. In lieu of the required degree, 31 semester credit hours covering the following subject matter courses: English Composition; Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro); Finance; Algebra, Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and Business or Real Estate Law; and 2 elective courses in accounting, geography, ag-economics, business management, or real estate.

Arizona Appraisal Regulatory Agency

Recent Changes to Real Property Appraiser Qualifications

Beginning January 1, 2015, the AQB has made significant changes to appraisal qualifications. Some states may choose to implement the changes sooner, so be sure to check with your state regulator.

Several important changes are outlined below, with complete details available on this AQB publication:

Upcoming Changes to Real Property Appraiser Qualifications

Important Change: Increased College Degree Requirements

Implications: After January 1, 2015, you must hold a bachelor's degree to obtain the Certified Residential license level or beyond. If you achieve this license level prior to January 1, 2015, you will be grandfathered in under the old regulations.